TV Stolen - Think They Found It

[dm05]

Hey guys,

I have been a long time lurker of these forums, but this time, I am in need of help!

Well, it's really for my mother and stepfather. A week and a half ago, their 58" plasma TV was stolen from their home. They think my younger sister and her boyfriend (who freeload off of them, and live their ..no jobs, etc) had something to do with it. The door was closed back shut, the dogs who are always running out at every chance were still inside, the TV stand was pushed back against the wall, and the cables were left nice and neat. The china was still in the cabinet next to the TV, and the DVD player and 2 VCR's were both left there as well. They told the officer they left the house at 1PM, my mother came home at 3PM. So it happened between those 2 hours. However, our driveway is shared between 3 homes, and both neighbors (who are retired and stay at home) said no one came up the driveway at all. Sounds kinda fishy...

Well, today the Officer called my stepfather and told him that 2 boys pawned off a TV matching his discription of it ( same make, size, etc). However, he needed the serial number to verify it (which I totally understand). My stepfather didn't record it anywhere, and when he bought the TV, didn't register it with the manufacturer. He is just very old school I suppose, and didn't see why it was important (until now, which he has every serial number to everything recorded.)

Is there anyway to find out the TV's serial number from the one he purchased to see if it matches the pawned one? He called Circuit City, they said they don't keep those records. He called the bank the loan came with, of course they don't either. He also called Panasonic, but of course he didn't register the TV so he isn't in their system. Anything he can do?/

If there isn't, is there any other way to somehow verify the TV? The officer told him that there was nothing he could do. He offered (this made me laugh a bit) to give the officer the TV remote and to test to see if it worked. He offered to see the 2 boys who pawned it, or atleast recognize their names, or anything. The officer turned him down both times, said the only thing that he can do is check the serial numbers.

I am afraid my stepfather is SOL(to put in cleaner terms), but I thought I would ask here anyway. Is there anything he can do, or is it one of those "better luck next time" deals?

[JakeLock]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think he's out of luck. This is why it's so important to record as much information about your property as possible. My insureance company requires a list and a copy of all SN's for my homeowners insurance.

[dm05]

Thanks for your reply Jake.

Looks like I jumped the gun...

The detective called back and said he was able to locate the serial number (I'm not sure how..but..I'm not a detective hehe), and the numbers match. And... apparently, my sisters bf had something to do with it because they asked my stepfather if they knew him. After they spoke to the 2 boys, apparently they confessed everything and said my sister and her bf were involved.

They asked where my sister worked, so I assume they are going to arrest her. And her bf. They said if she comes home, don't say anything to her, but they are going to come. The TV was worth more than whatever the minimum is, so it is also a Felony apparently as well. I don't think she realizes how detrimental this is to her future. This will follow her for the rest of her life.

What I can't believe is that these 2 children (My sister is 20 and he is 17), sat on my mothers couch, looked her in the eye, hugged her, kissed her, and said they had nothing to do with it. She kept saying over and over she had no idea who would do something like this. Her boyfriend hugged my mother and told her he would never steal from them because he was so thankful for how good they have been to him. They lied to her face. They lied to all of us. Now my mother is hysterical, crying once again. She's already decided she isn't welcome here anymore, asked me to change all of the locks tomorrow. If she gets off with probation (she had a prior drug offense when she was 17.. not sure how that will play into it), which I hope she doesn't, she isn't welcome here.

Anyhow... on a positive note, I would like to thank all of you LEO's for you hard work and dedication. I have been a longtime lurker(my fiancee's mother is a LEO, I think maybe thats when I found this site.. wanted to learn lol) and I will say,you guys see people on the worst days of their lives, every day. And you still have the stomach to get up every morning, afternoon, or night.. eat your meal.. strap on the Kevlar, and do it again. I applaud each and every one of you and hope you all stay safe. Your job is the most underpaid and unappreciated, yet you do it every day. I don't think you are recognized for the work you do. Not to the degree you need to be.